Steam-trap.



No. 838,657. PATENTED DEC. 18, 1906.

E.'A. SIKES. STEAM TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED JAN, 2, 1906.

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UNITED STATES r a'rnn'r orrron.

STEAM-TRAP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 18, 1906.

Application filed January 2. 1906. Serial No. 294,056.

To all whont it may concern:

7 Beit known that I, EUGENE A. SIKEs, a citizen of the United States,residing at l/Vorcester, in the county of l/Vorcester and State ofMassachusetts, have invented anew and useful Steam-Trap, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a new and improved trap fordraining water from steam systems or for similar purposes.

To this end the invention consists of the device described and claimedin this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of the device. Fig. 2is a detail of a modified double valve hereinafter referred to, and Fig.3 is a view of a modified connection.

Referring to the drawings and in detail, S designates the steam pipe orsystem from which it is desired to drain the water.

H designates a receiver or pot usually made out of a cast-iron cylinderand which may have suitable supporting legs. This receiver is connectedby a pipe 10 to the pipe S, so as to stand below the same. A pipe 11 isconnected to the lower part of the receiver. A vertical trap T, which isformed out of pieces of pipes and by suitable unions, is connected tothe pipe 11. The end of the vertical trap connects with the top of avalve-cas ing 12. The valve-casing is provided with two valve-seats 13and 14, the seat 13 being larger than the seat 14. A double valve isarranged in the casing. This double valve consists of a valve 15,engaging the valveseat 13, and a valve 16, engaging the valveseat 14.The valves 15 and 16 are mounted on a common stem 17. The valve 15 issomewhat larger than the valve 16. A pipe or connection 18 is connectedto the bottom of the receiver R below pipe 11. An escape or exhaust pipe19 for the water is connected to the valve-casing, as shown, so as tocommunicate with the space between the two valve-seats. This pipe thusdrains any flow that comes through the valve-seats. A by pass 20 isarranged in the valve casing around the valve-seat 13, and this by-passis controlled by a small turning-plug 21.

lVhen there is simply steam-pressure in the receiver R, thesteam-pressure will act on the top of the larger valve 15 and on thebottom of the smaller valve 16 and owing to Y the difference in exposedarea of the valves the valves will be kept to their seats. As water,such as the water of condensation, drops down into the receiver thelevel ofthe water will rise in the receiver, and when it reaches a levelabove the connection to the trap T the steam in the trap T will betrapped or cut off by the water in the receiver, thus keeping thesteam-pressure on top of the larger valve 15. As the level of the waterrises in the receiver R the hydrostatic head or pressure thereof will beadded to the pressure on the under side of the smaller valve 16, or, inother words, the under side of this valve will now be exposed to thepressure from the steam in the receiver R and also to the additionalpressure of the water column in the receiver. As the water-level rises apoint will be reached where the pressure on the under side of thesmaller valve 16 will overbalance the steam-pressure on top of thelarger valve 15. When this takes place, the valves will lift from theirseats and will allow the water to run out from the receiver into theescape-pipe 19. This flow will continue until the conditions are suchthat the valves will return to their seats. If thevertical trap shouldget bound, the same can be released by opening the valve 21 and allowinga flow through the by-pass 19. The condensation of the steam in thevertical trap after the same has been trapped therein will also help tolift the valves from their seats to allow the draining of the receiver.The bottom of the receiver is made pan or dish shaped, and a pipe 22 isconnected to the bottom of the receiver and is provided with a valve 23,so that dirt or sediment can be blown off without passing through thedouble valve.

The device is extremely advantageous in operation. It can be constructedso as to have entire freedom from packings. It is extremely simple, asno floats, springs, or levers are necessary. It is positive in actionand not liable to get out of order. It is extremely accessible forexamination or for regrinding of the valves, and when worn out a newvalve can be readily and quickly adjusted. By properly designing thevalves the device can be used on high or low pressure steam systems. Theupper valve in some instances may be made in the form of a pistonfitting in the valve-casing, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the term doublevalve, as I use the same in the claims, being intended to cover bothsuch structures. In some instances the trap T may be connected. directlyto pipe 18 and pipe 11 omitted, as shown in Fig. 3.

The details and arrangements herein'shown and described may be greatlyand otherwise varied by a skilled mechanic without departing from thescope of my invention as expressed in the claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, What I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A device for the purpose stated, comprising a trap, a valve havingdifferential exposed areas, the interior or steam chamber of the trapbeing in constant communication with, and the pressure acting on, thelarger area, and means for allowing the water in the trap to act on thesmaller area in opposition to the steam-pressure on the larger.

2. A device for the purpose stated, comprising a receiver, trapconnected therewith, a valve having di'lt'erential areas, pressure inthe trap constantly acting on 1. larger area, and means for allowing thewater in the trap to communicate with, and act on, the smaller valve inopposition to the pressure on the larger valve.

A device for the purpose stated, com prising a receiver, a vertical trapconnected thereto, a valve casing having a double valve-seat therein,the end of the trap connecting to the top of the valve-casing, a doublevalve arranged in the casing, the upper valve being larger than lowervalve, T'llG pressure from tl': e trap being in constant communicationwith the top of the upper valve, and a connection allowing the water toact on the under side of the smaller valve.

4. A device for the purpose stated, comprising a receiver, a verticaltrap having a tree unobstructed passage connected thereto, avalve-casing to the upper side of which said trap is connected saidvalve-casing having two seats, two valves arranged on. a common stem andfitting said seats, the upper valve being the larger of the two, and aconnection to the receiver allowing the water to act on the bottom sideot the lower valve, and an i exhaust connected to the space between thetwo valve-seats.

5. A device for the purpose stated, comprising a vertical trap, a doublevalve having differential areas, the pressure in the trap acting on thelarger valve, a connection allowing the water to act on the smallervalve in opposition to the pressure on the larger valve, a by-passaround the larger valve, and a valve controlling the by-pass.

6. A device for the purpose stated, comprising a receiver, a verticaltrap connected thereto, a double valve having differential areas, thepressure in the trap acting on the larger area, a connection to thereceiver allowing the water to act on the smaller area in opposition. tothe pressure on the larger area, and a blow-oft pipe connected to thebottom of the receiver.

7. The combination of a receiver for connection with a steam system, apipe extending upwardly from the receiver, a second pipe extending fromthe receiver, a valve-casing communicating with both of said pipes, avalve-stem, and two valves fixed to said stem, one having a larger areathan the other, the larger valve being in communication with thepressure in the first pipe and the smaller valve with the pressure inthe-second pipe.

8. Tire con'rbination of a receiver for connection with a steam system,a pipe extending upwardly eretrom, a second pipe extending from ti.receiver at a point below that at which the first pipe leaves it, avalvecasing communicating with both of said. pipes at opposite ends, avalvewtem, and. two valves fixed to said stem in the casing, one valvehaving a larger than the other, the larger valve bein urged to its seatby the pressure in the first pipe and the smaller valve being ur ed fromits seat by the pressure in. the second pipe.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in tre presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

EUGENE A. SIKES.

Witnesses L0U1s W. SOUTHGATE, irlARY E. REGAN.

